Hey Everyone

[Sinnie]

Sorry to have been gone for so long! I have been keeping up to some extent with No S and have dropped a few pounds (approx 7). I would still like to lose 20-30 lbs yet.

Just a bit on what I have been up to, and why I've neglected you all. I have now finished up my bachelor's degree, and very happily (and surprisingly) I have been accepted into Teacher's College. The decision to become a teacher came as a shock to many people as my degree is in business and I was pretty successful so far with it. But I didn't feel it was me, and so I diverged into the education field.

Now it's my 'summer holidays' and I need a job! I really dislike being unemployed when I'm not in school, it makes me feel lazy when everyone else is working or doing something else significant. Well, I do volunteer...But that's my current plan - to find a job. It should also help curb my eating activities during the day.

On a side note, I've taken up Salsa dancing! Well, in truth I've only had one lesson, however it's going to be a weekly thing. In addition to walking, I think it will complement No S nicely.

I hope to continue losing weight this summer with all of you

Take Care,
Cindy

[reinhard]

Thanks for checking in, Cynthia.

Glad to hear you're still with it. And congratulations on the career choice -- I'm married to a teacher.

Best of luck on upping the "some extent" and knocking off those extra pounds,

Reinhard

[gratefuldeb67]

Hi Cynthia!
Good for you!
Which Teachers College?
Columbia University???

I went there... got 90 percent of a masters and never finished it...

Don't do what I did!!!
LOL...

Congrats on the Salsa dancing!
Have fun
Peace and Love,
Deb

[Sinnie]

Thank for the welcome back Reinhard. I do have a few glitches I need to work out. My main problem is doing fine all day, and then the hours after dinner I crave candy. For whatever reason I'll feel antsy and then once I've had some licorice that feeling is gone so I'm really driven to eat. I think pure willpower is the only answer here.

So nice to hear that your wife is a teacher - I think it's a wonderful profession. Deb, I'm actually going to the University of Toronto. They have a really good program there and I'm just grateful for getting in (I'm sure you can tell the shock hasn't completely worn off). I think that's because many people told me my chances of acceptance were so slim, that I'd have to 'fib' on my application if I were to have a chance. I refused to do that, and if I were to get in it would be on my own credentials. That is too bad you got so close to finishing your master's degree but I know that life happens and sometimes things just can't go the way you want. Maybe one day you will get that right opportunity to finish it up.

Anyways, I'll be around here more often now
Cynthia

[Hunter Gatherer]

If it's the flavor of licorice you're craving and not the sweet, you might try getting some fennel seed (I think that's the one) and crunching on one as part of dinner (the just after everything else part). It shouldn't be hard to fit a little seed on your plate, and it might eliminate the craving. I've heard fennel seed is good for digestion too.

[gratefuldeb67]

Also, Altoids makes a licorice pastel..
I think it's supposedly very strong, in their fashion..
I doubt you would need more than one! LOL...

Have a great day and congrats again about your school..
Good for you for not "fibbing"! What's the point of starting out with lies?

Have a great day!
Peace and Love,
Deb

[Donna O]

hello cynthia ! congratulations on your acceptance to teacher's college

after spending a year homeschooling my very dyslexic son, i can

honestly say that teaching him has been the single most rewarding and

challenging thing that i have ever done in my life..teaching is one of the

most noble professions

here are some actions that i take to keep from eating when i should not

( not my original ideas- these come from Overeater Anonymous)

1. pray and ask my higher power (i call my higher power God) to remove
my mental obsession with food

2. write-- why do i want to eat ? fix what i can fix, and let go of what is not in my power to fix

3. telephone/ e- mail someone--talk it out.. this group is great for that
use

4.read- i have a lot of OA literature that i read when the mental obsession
with food overtakes me..

5. drink tea, water, coffee, diet coke--until the craving passes

you are not alone in your quest , remember that we are all here rooting for you.

XOXO

Donna O

[Sinnie]

Donna,

Thank you so much for your well-wishes about my acceptance to teachers college. I agree it is a very rewarding profession - precisely the reason I want to do it.

Thanks for posting the OA suggestions. I have gotten better at waiting to eat until I am supposed to, and not binging anymore. I hope it keeps up.

Have a great day!

[Kevin]

Congrats on all the good things going on in your life.

There's one more thing you can do when you are anxious for food: exercise. Not a lot if you aren't up to a lot, but something. You are breaking a very well entrenched habit. It'll take some doing. Replace it with a better habit.

[Sinnie]

Thanks, Kevin! It is true that as I am getting rid of my bad habits, I have to replace that time with something else. So far, I've noticed just taking my dog around the block reaps me huge benefits - relieves stress and makes me forget about the food. Thanks for reminding me to do this strategy more often until it becomes a habit.